HC Deb 26 November 1975 vol 901 c205W
Mr. Wall

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Chinese refugees were repatriated by the Hong Kong Government to China in each month from November 1974 to date.

Mr. Ennals

The following are the number of illegal immigrants returned to China:

November 1974 5
December 1974 218
January 1975 96
February 1975 48
March 1975 45
April 1975 81
May 1975 81
June 1975 101
July 1975 103
August 1975 151
September 1975 192
October 1975 27
November 1975 (up to 20th November) 68

Mr. Wall

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will ensure that the Hong Kong authorities do not repatriate political refugees to China, in view of the fact that it is the practice of the Chinese Government to sentence such persons to between one and four years' imprisonment.

Mr. Ennals

The Hong Kong authorities carefully consider any cases involving persons who claim to be political refugees. I have no evidence that illegal immigrants returned to China received unduly harsh punishment from the Chinese authorities.